Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1887-06-24
THE CHAPLAIN HORROR.
Full Pan ticulars of the Burning of the
Steamer at Fishermans Island.
Many of the Dead Inferred at CharI
voix. Stories of the Chaplain
and Passengers.

NHAhLNOlA IhlStl.s HiI5 he partlS-
ulars with regard to the Chaplain horror
are: The flames bursting out around the
smoke stack gave the first warning to the
captain of the situation. Finding the
engine could not be stopped. he headed
the steamer for the Island, two miles dis
tant. He then turned his attention to
the life boats, only two of which and the
raft could be reached. They could not
be manned, owing to the speed of the
boat; they were burned loose from the
davits, and all help was gone.
One by one the fifty seven people jump
ed overheard, most of them with life
preservers improperly adjusted. The Is
land was a mile away, and but thirty
seven of the ffty-seven reached it, a few
being picked up By a fishing boat from
SInithton's Camp.
The scene as described by the survivors,
of the three-score people struggling in
the water was heartrendIng. One by one
the twenty went down, overcome by their
burns or cramps.
Brenann, the clerk, died after reaching
the shore. The lost are as follows, Mrs.
Ella Smith, Robert Wilkes, George Wris-
ley, of CharlvOix; Mrs. Kehs e, Clerk
Harry Brennan, one fireman. Second
Cook Jack Hartly, Steward Beau, and two
girls, Chicago; j. r Rogers, spital
steward at Port Mackinaw, and young son
Ed Wilkins Cabin boy, Madison, Wis;
Captain Lucas, Petoskey; Mr.. Russell,
Jackson Corset Co.; Mrs. and Miss Falk,
darbor Springs; fou- Indian deck hands,
Elk Rapids: Mr.. Shaub, of Rochester, Wis;
w. G.. Samson, of Streator, Ill.
The bodies of MIS-. Smith, Wilkes, Lucas,
Rogers, Russell, Brennan, Hartly, Wilkins,
Wrisley, Samson, Shaub, and the fireman
HAVE BEEN RECOVERED.
Mr.. Russells body was taken in charge
by the Knights Templar, embalmed and
sent to his home in jackson County.
The other males have been buried.
Mrs. Smiths funeral occurs tomorrow.
She was young widowed daughter of
Richard Cooper, proprietor of the Foun-
tain City House and general favorite in
society, church aud Sunday School circles.
Wrisly aud Wilkes were respected
citizens, Mrs. Keho was the wife of Cap
tain NJ. Keho of chicago, who for many
years was master of the schooner f. w.
Ferry. She was on her way here to spend
the summer.
The rescued were taken to main shore
to SmithsOn's lumber camp, and all were
transferred here by tugs, except engin-
eer McCaffery, who Is still there, too bad
ly burned to be moved. Besides those of
the officers and crew saved were the fol-
lowing: George w. Miller, merchant, of
CharlvOix; Mrs. Iguales, of Petoskey;
Mr.. Albright, travelling for Sherwin Will
Jams Co., of Chicago; and Mr.Will Mann,
travelling for Berger. and son, Milwau-
kee.
The wreck has been towed here, and
now lies at her pier, Quilted to her tim
b5rs.
Captain Casey stated to a correspondent
the first he knew of tie fire the engineer
rushed up on the appev deck with his
clothes all ablaze. He shouted to him to
Jump into the water tank, and with the
assistance of the first mate threw him in
and extinguished the flames. The engine
room was all on fire, and after seeing
that there was no chance to quench the
flames, the captain headed the Cham plain
for Fisherman's Island and
GAVE ORDERS TO LOWER THE BOATS.
The steamer was rushing along at full
speed, and before life-bOats could be
launched the fire drove all hands upon
the bow of the burning craft. Here all
we're provided with life -preservers. The
boat grounded about mile from shore
The flames had been kept back by the
speed of the boat and the wind, but now
they came rapidly nearer and the
people were forced to take to the water
many were let down with lines, while
ott.ers jumped overheard. The Captain
said it was not more than ten minutes
from the fina the fire Irpka he
the boat was wrapped in flames He
spoke in the highest praise of the gal
liant conduct of his officers and crew, all
of whom acted nobly and promptly obey
ed every order given to them.
The books were lost and as the clerk
died from exhaustion after being picked
up, it is possible that com mplete list of
the lost can never be secured
MISS WILSON'S STATEMENT.
Miss Ella Wilson said she retired
about 10 o'clock. At midnight she was
called by e lady acquaintance and told to
dress and go forward, as the boat was on
fire. By mistake she went aft, where she
saw the whole rear in a blaze, ard the
men were throwing fire extinguishers.
She went to the bow of the boat, where
the passengers were going overheard.
She and Mr., Whitteman, of Milwaukee,
were Let down by lines. Immediately
after man, with his little son clasped to
his breast, jumped. This was j. r. Rod.
gers; both were drowned. Mr.. White
man and Miss Wilson kept close togeth-
er and soon came across one of the boats
tenders, to which they clung for several
hours until rescued by Captain Casey's
boat and taken to shore where she saw
the clerk of the boat and another man.
DIE OF EXHAUSTION.
She spoke in high terms of the aptain
and his crew; they acted cool, and to her
it appeared as though they sid every
thing possible under the circumstances.